WHEN THE curtain closes on the final performance of Mount Hebron High School's new play Saturday, it will mark the end of 17 seasons of collaboration by three devoted teachers.
Voice teacher Kittye Wright, band and orchestra teacher Bob Johnston and math teacher Tom Sankey, director of the school's current production, "Fiddler on the Roof," have worked together on spring musicals since 1982.
Wright, who has taught at Mount Hebron since 1972, will retire in June.
Each year, Wright and Sankey chose a musical to highlight the talents of the current crop of students. They plan to show off the strong voices of their male students in "Fiddler on the Roof."
Wright says the musicals encourage students to discover that art nourishes the individual. The three teachers picked this show, she said, "because it has substance and a wonderful message."
"Fiddler on the Roof" conveys a poignant sense of the value and precariousness of the traditions that sustain community life. And the play speaks to the heart of the teachers' efforts these past 17 years.
Sankey says he wanted to "instill the love of the musical theater in the students." Any interested student can participate in Mount Hebron's productions.
This year, more than 80 students will appear on stage. Fifty more are working behind the scenes.
Columbia resident Amanda Tschirgi has choreographed the Mount Hebron musicals since 1986. She met Sankey in the early 1980s at the Howard County Summer Theater, where he was directing a play and she was choreographing.
A graduate of Centennial High School, Tschirgi creates the dances for two shows each year -- one at Mount Hebron and one at the Howard County Summer Theater.
For "Fiddler on the Roof," Tschirgi says she modeled the erect carriage of older Russian Jews in 1905 for the students, to teach them to to move as the play's characters might have done.
In a rehearsal Thursday, Sankey congratulated his performers: "I was really starting to believe that you were those Jews in 1905," he said, at the same time admonishing them not to go into "high school mode" -- tickling each other and giggling, believing the audience would not notice.
The audience will naturally see the person who is not "in sync," Sankey told the cast. At the back of the group, an attractive blond girl dressed as a Russian peasant, with brown print kerchief and cotton blouse, blew massive pink bubbles from the wad of gum she was chewing.
When the rehearsal resumed, senior John Bruns sang a poignant duet with junior Rachel Warren. As Tevye, the play's main character, John asked his wife, Golde, if she loved him.
Tevye met his wife for the first time on the day of their arranged marriage 20 years earlier. Living and working together, the couple shared joys and sorrows.
His wife sang about all they had been through together. But, John asked, did she love him?
In the front row, junior Julie Kurtzman and sophomore Jonny Norman sang along quietly, "But do you love me?"
As the song ended, students in the audience whistled and someone made the sound of lips smacking in a kiss.
In the final scene, villagers, suitcases in hand, circle the fiddler as they prepare to leave the Russian village that holds their memories and has anchored their lives.
The fiddler plays the show's theme, suggesting that it is as easy to fiddle on a roof as it is to preserve traditions.
Sankey acknowledges that the show speaks to the teachers' shared ideals -- encouraging their students to come out of themselves and give their best to the performance. During their 17 seasons together, Sankey says, Wright instilled these ideals in her students, and he is "sentimental to see her go."
"Fiddler on the Roof" will be performed at 7: 30 p.m. Wednesdaythrough Saturday in the school's auditorium.
The cost is $7. To reserve tickets: 410-313-2880.
Starting out
In what might be the beginning of a tradition, Michelle Fowler, Howard High School's new drama teacher, Keedra Stevenson, the school's new dance teacher, and music teacher Rick Lawrence are working together on their first spring musical.
The school will present "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat" at 7: 30 p.m. Thursdaythrough Saturday in the auditorium.
The rock musical tells the Old Testament story of Joseph, who was sold into slavery by his brothers.
More than 100 students are involved in the production, which Fowler is directing. Stevenson has choreographed the larger dance numbers, and Lawrence is directing the orchestra.
Tickets are $7 at the door. Call 410-313-2867.
At the library
Sharon Unger and Ronnie Baker, staff who organized a Dr. Seuss celebration at the Elkridge Branch Library on March 2, have planned "Super Saturdays" through May 1.
Unger says they have designed the program so that working parents can attend.
Super Saturdays will feature 30-minute story-times, beginning at 11 a.m. Saturdays, through May 1, except for April 3.
The programs are designed for children ages 2 to 5.
Another library series, "Just For Me," features theme-centered story-times for children ages 3 to 5.
The 30-minute programs will be at 10: 15 and 11: 15 a.m. Wednesdays.
All the programs are free. No advance registration is required.
The library is also offering two programs for children ages 5 to 8 that focus on wildlife.
On Thursday at 4: 30 p.m., staff from the Patuxent Research Refuge, National Wildlife Visitor Center in Laurel will present activities and a puppet show about domestic and wild animals.
And at 3 p.m. and 4: 30 p.m. April 15, Patuxent Refuge staff will use puppets and activities to describe a toad's spring journey to a pond.
Registration is required.
The Elkridge Branch Library is at 6540 Washington Blvd. Call 410-313-5077.
Reviving the spirit
For the third year, the Rev. Melvin Green of the Christian Community Church of God in Baltimore will lead a spirited revival at the First Baptist Church of Elkridge.
The event will include three nights of gospel preaching, teaching and singing at 7: 30 March 24, 25 and 26.
The Rev. Monroe Simms, the pastor of First Baptist, says he hopes that those who participate will be blessed spiritually.
Services are usually two hours long. Participants are free to come and go.
The church, at 5795 Paradise Ave. in Elkridge, will provide van transportation for the revival services.
Information: 410-796-4454.
Spring cleaning
Boy Scout Troop 432 of Elkridge is holding a Spring Cleaning Auction at 5 p.m. March 27 at the parish hall of Grace Episcopal Church, 6725 Montgomery Road, Elkridge.
The troop is accepting donations of gently used small appliances, electronic devices, small pieces of furniture, exercise equipment, baby items, glassware, office equipment, computers and gift certificates for restaurants or services.
Information: Pat Elza, 410-796-4474.
Pub Date: 3/15/99